My wife and I will be there about the same time (Sept 24-Oct. 4). We’ll be hitting the second annual Shamboozle in Black Mountain and spending time on the BRP and in nearby Montreat.
For a super-easy walk with an absolutely awesome view, take the short trot up Craggy Pinnacle on the BRP a few miles north of town.
If you go to Chimney rock you have to get someone to go over to the further stairs up to Exclamation point and take your picture on the “chimney” next to the flag. A shame if your knees won’t let you make it to the top of Exclamation. The view is amazing. You can see all of Lake Lure and way beyond. There is a picnic table there if you brought lunch. On it is a heart with GC + RC carved among all the other carvings. While you are there (if you go up top) go to the western side and see Hickory Nut falls misting down the hard round rock wall where they filmed “Last of the Mohicans”. Then go down and follow the trail to it. The water is amazingly cold. You will need a head dunk after the long trek to it.
In town go eat at La Strada in the big curve next to Lake Lure. Everything they make is delicious. Eat on the blacony as you look across at the hotel Swayze and Grey stayed while they made “Dirty Dancing”. The mountain on the right is known as “Sleeping Woman”, see if you can tell why. Ask a waiter to point out where the cove is they filmed the holding Jennifer up scene. Find Boys Camp road and go down it to that cove. Find the watermellon toting stairs. Dance on them.
You can stay at any place but I suggest a night somewhere on the French Broad river when it is churning and you can drink a glass of Ocoee wine on a balcony. River House is cheap and the room on the end has the best balcony view of Chimney Rock and the river but be careful not to rip the headboard off the bed during strenuous sex. It goes right back on if you do so don’t freak. It is not a foo foo hotel so if you have to have your butt powdered by the staff then go elsewhere. Best view is what I always pick though.
Go to the Biltmore. It is right there in Ashville and amazing. Biggest private owned residence and nearest thing to a castle the US has. The fall festival may have started by then so watch some clogging and fiddle at the farm. Pick up some wine there. I suggest the Riesling.
Mount Mitchel aint that far and it’s the highest peak east of the Mississippi. It’s on the Blue Ridge. The Ridge is gorgeous. Ride a horse at Moses P. cone House if you go farther. Don’t pass up getting some of the rare varient mountain apples at the orchard not far from there. The Ridge is filled with ooooo and ahhhhhhh, rock tunnels, falls, overlooks, that turn every damn brochure has on it, beauty everywhere.
If you go to Cherokee then go to the museum. It’s ineresting and has one of the giant wooden Indian heads carved from a sequoia that artist put one of in every state. It’s big. I would like to see where all the others are. Avoid casinos but watch a hoop dance outside that store Roosevelt took a picture of his kilt bear at or whatever it was happened there.
If you go on to Clingmans Dome… wait… this aint a novel. If you want to know about Gatlinburg or damn near anywhere up there ask about a specific section. I love all that country though I live a couple states away. Have fun. Do everything.
A word of caution about Mount Mitchell… there are some bad, bad people in the area. Sure, they look like a really nice family who just want to go on a “simple” hike with your family because you have kids of similar ages and you seem like nice people. They may also ask you to join them on a record hot day for the area.
DON’T FALL FOR IT!!!
They will take you for a hike that starts at the ranger station, and the first two miles are nice and simple… but then the last mile… is one mile STRAIGHT UP. Sure, they even call it something cute… “Camp Alice Trail”. They will have their kids prodding yours on and they will practically run up that mile long climb, while the old guy with the bad knees huffs and puffs his way to the top.
The very worst part is that you eventually get to the top, and you will be panting and soaked in sweat, and then the 300 lb guy will come up to you in a slightly less sweaty state and give you a nod… but then you realize he just made it the 20 yards from the parking lot at the top and is feeling sorry for you.
If you do so, at least get a sign that says you hiked from the base.
I was so mad at that family that we stopped sending them Christmas cards after 5 or 6 years.
I really appreciate the advice, especially the warnings about the Mt Mitchell Hiking Freaks and the fragile headboard tip. It’s so embarrassing every time that happens! Golly, you’d think we’d know enough to stop vacationing in places with headboards by now.
Seriously, thanks everyone for the great suggestions! Making a list and, like Motorgirl, I will endeavor to report back with our findings after our adventure.
Mostly about food:
Tupelo Honey Cafe = SeaDragonTattoo mentioned it, and I second it. Think about eating there, it’s great. No - correct that. Think about eating there twice.
Tomato Jam Cafe = Very good breakfasts. Don’t underestimate tomato jam on a cat’s head-sized biscuit.
Salsa’s = Last time I went there it wasn’t as good as in the past, but it was still tasty.
Most of the other stuff I would recommend tends to be outdoorsy, so it may not be your think. But the Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Mount Mitchell are all great.
Have a good time!
I mixed up the hotel in Chimney Rock with the one in Gatlinburg. Chimney Rock has the Valley Court Riverside. It’s old and sort of run down but quaint with tongue and groove panneling and quilts. Only get the one on the end even though it has a WWII shower because of the view. Small balcony with plastic chairs but nice somehow. Throw some bread to the ducks and watch for the thieving raccon at night.
The Riveside Motor Lodge is the one with the spooning ghost that pulls the covers off and hides them in room 47 at Gatlinburg. She is cold and wants you to be as well. Stoke the fire to hold her at bay. This is my actual review on tripadviser.
You might want to go see Grandfather mountain and its Gump curve, purple amythist bigger than Oprahs ass, mile high swinging bridge and maybe go to Nicks bar and bug Charles Frazier to sign your copy of Cold Mountain. Oh! Cold Mountain is near Ashville.